At last the sun appeared, shining brightly.
Yesterday’s first snow was in full glory.
The first thing that popped into my head was, of course, a children’s book. I wrote this post years ago, and it is as poignant today as ever.
“Katy and the Big Snow”, by Virginia Lee Burton is a classic children’s book that continues to be beloved today. After two major snow storms this week, it was the perfect read. The book never gets old, children always find something new. This week was no exception. Frankly, the book exploded into unexpected learning about a compass, geography, a yard stick, and more.
It happened like this…
As we enjoyed reading the first page, I had an epiphany. The border depicts all the trucks that belong to the highway department. A border. Wait a minute- the only other author that does that in her books is Jan Brett. Of course; Jan Brett must have read “Katy and the Big Snow” when she was young and been inspired. I felt like a child in school who “got it”. This was exciting!
We stopped to pull out “The Mitten” and “Three Snow Bears.” They were different, yet the same; different because Jan Brett’s borders in her books are clues to the next page, the same because the borders in “Katy and the Big Snow” detail the story. It took a long time to finish reading the first page.
A few pages later a child said, “There’s a compass.” Sure enough, a compass is featured throughout the book. Our “Big Book Atlas of the World” has a compass on each page, and we often talk about north, south, east, and west. Understanding the geography of the town is key to Katy’s snow plowing in the story. But wait, this compass is different!
North is not pointing to the top, and there are eight main points, not four. Quick thinking was necessary to seize this moment. While I didn’t have a compass in the classroom (now I will), I had one on my phone. We huddled together to look at the compass, and it was moving. So, we spread out like a group of scouts on an expedition, walking around the classroom, finding north and more.
Back to the book’s compass, I asked children as I pointed, “If this is north and this is east, what is this (the smaller arrow)?” Shouts of “Northeast!” came from everywhere, and with that momentum we identified all the points.
Then came the page with only words:
A strong wind came up and drifts began to form… one foot…. two feet….. three feet…… five feet…….. The snow reached the first story windows………. the second story windows…………
The children seemed to understand that more dots in the text meant more snow. As I read the words I held my hand above the floor to the approximate height, but that wasn’t enough. I needed to show children how much snow is two feet, etc. A yard stick to the rescue. I use this in my classroom more than I use a ruler. Young children need big! I could show them one foot, two feet, three feet. They got it- a lot of snow!
This is everybody’s favorite page, especially after measuring with a yardstick. It puts a visual as to how much snow we measured, and beyond:
So, Katy plowed out the roads in each location, north, south, east and west. She helped the police, the schools, the airport, and of course the fire department.
The story does not end here. Learning and enthusiasm isn’t a switch that turns on and off. It grows. Today we looked at our new foot of snow and a child said, “It looks like “Katy and the Big Snow.” Yes, it did. So, we went outside without coats, and with our trusty yardstick in hand to measure the snow.
The snow was 16 inches high. We went back inside and measured each other, the tables and chairs. Everyone wanted to find 16 inches. Children understood how that number on the yardstick measured the snow, and they wanted to measure, and measure again. They understood that 16 was more than just a number. In the eyes of the children 16 represented something concrete- eureka! It clicked. Boy, it was exciting to find 16 inches.
This is emergent curriculum at its best. That means something sparks the interest of children, and a teacher builds upon it. The most important learning, things that stick and are the foundation for more learning come from the children. Math, science, geography, literacy, art… the list is a long one, and is greatly enhanced through emergent curriculum. Katy and the Big Snow is a perfect example.
Oh, how I love reading-aloud and the windows that open to learning!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wonderful, Jennie!
🥰
Jennie,…some of my favorite books! And just look where this learning took the kids! Oh how I’d love to have had you as a teacher. ❄️❄️❤️🥰
That’s so nice, thank you!!
You’re welcome. You really brighten our days! 💕
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I love this!! Especially the children’s fascination with the measuring stick. When my daughter was young she spent a lot of time at my parent’s farm. They were the best babysitters and were great at using teachable moments. One time when she was about five or six I asked her about her stay. She said, “Did you know that Grandpa doesn’t have one thing on his farm that is exactly a metre long.” Of course not, he would have bought or made things when we were still on the imperial system. I Imagine he gave her a metre stick and she spent all day measuring things. Your posts bring back fond memories.
I love your story! I’m so glad my post brought back those memories for you. Thank you, Darlene.
You have a way of doing that. xo
😍
I love emergent learning/teaching! It sounds like you all had a wonderful day that day!
It was one of the best! Yup, when those ‘moments’ present themselves, I’m all over it. Thank you, Deborah.
Perfectly wonderflu!! Just how love of reading and miracles happen… One read-aoud at a time!
Yes, indeed! One read-aloud at a time. Thank you, Bette!
Have a great week and Happy Reading, Jennie!
Thank you, Bette!
Wow! An inspirational book and reading aloud time! There are so many lessons learned along the way whilst having fun!
Yes, Indeed! Thank you, Annika,
I reacall you featuring the Katie book previously. It looks like a beautfiul story indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes! It’s been many years, and it was high time this book was posted again. I’m so glad you remembered. You would have loved this book as a child. Thank you, Pete.
*Recall*
Ah Jennie a teacher’s dream experience. Thanks for sharing this cherry in the pie of teaching.
It was, indeed. Thank you! It’s incredible what a good book can do. I love the ‘cherry in the pie of teaching.’ 🙂
I remember Katy and the Big Snow from my school days. I loved Virginia Lee Burton’s books. Thanks, Jennie.
I do, too! My first book memory from school is The Little House, another wonderful Virginia Lee Burton book. Thanks, John.
And the Steam shovel book
Mike Mulligan!
Yes, indeed.
Thank you for keeping books a part of our future!
It’s what I love to do! Thanks so much, John.
Way to go!
Thanks so much!
Good post
Thank you.
Wonderful blend of the real world with the literary world.
I think so, too. Thank you, Beth.
what a wonderful lesson. it’s nce to take something abstract, like 16 inches, and then show them a practical example. As you note, that’s learning at its best.
I remember reading that book to our boys when they were younger – it’s a classic. Reminds me of both Mike Mulligan and A Fish Out of Water, which is probably my all-time favorite children’s book…
These are the best lessons, absolutely my favorites. I think I was as excited as the children. And yes – Mike Mulligan! A Fish Out of Water! Terrific books. I still read them to my students. Thank you, Jim.
glad to know those books are still being used in the classroom!
😀
I absolutely love reading about your emergent lessons. Talk about taking those teachable moments and running with them. Wonderful!
That is so kind, Carla! I’m glad you love these emergent lessons and teachable moments. I have many. It’s what I do. 😊 Thank you so much!
As I read this lovely post I could not help but think :
“Teachers have three loves:
Love of Learning,
Love of Learners,
and the Love of bringing
the first two loves together.” – Scott Hayden.
I humbly apologize if this quote is a repeat but it bears repeating! Thank-you!
It is not a repeat (I love repeats), and it’s a perfect quote. Thank you, Ellen!
Kudos to you!! Yes!! Emergent curriculum at its best. Lucky kids to have you as their teacher.
Thank you!
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Thank you!
A very exciting learning extravaganza! A very good lesson in the vital service provided by the people who keep our roads drivable in the winter.
Yes, indeed! This is a perfect book for New Englanders. Virginia Lee Burton was a master at bringing math, science, and geography into her picture books.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of the constant announcements/admonitions from our New Hampshire DOT spokesperson recently: Don’t crowd the plow; don’t crowd the plow!
Haha!!
🙂
I remember that story with our kids. Great visuals and once again, you related it to the real world. Nice work, Jennie.
Isn’t it great? And it opens so many doors, too. Thank you, Steve.
Real-life learning is always the best. One of the fun ways we used to do measurement was to measure height vs. our wingspan. For most people, it is usually within one inch (plus or minus). My acronym for the cardinal directions was: Never Eat Soggy Worms.😊
I have never done that. How exciting! And usually it’s within an inch? See, that’s real-life learning, too. Boy, it is the best!
I love lessons like these, Jennie. Learning is cumulative and you are starting these kids out with a very good base on which to build.
Cumulative is an excellent word. Learning is just that. I liken it to building a foundation for the future, and I provide building blocks. Thank you, Dan.
You’re welcome Jennie.
Another one of my favorite books!
It is so good! I’m glad children are still reading it today.
Teachers and other adults who loved it as children keep it going:)
Yes!!
Beautiful! Your lead photo of snow – and your teaching.
Thank you, Norah!
Cool, cool, cool! Also, a fantastic example of ’emergent learning for teacher, too’! (ie- you ‘getting’ the connection between two authors and their book layout styles!!!!) The best teachers are lifelong learners!
Yes! Learning all the way around!
I love that you translated their learning from book to real-life! I love the book illustrations! 🙂
Thanks, Jen! It was a winner back in the ’40’s and continues to be as wonderful today. Yes, the real life piece is the best learning. 🙂
Lovely post, I enjoy the lessons.
Thank you.
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
Whatever happens, you always make the best out of it, Jennie! 😉 Great to be tought, how children could become exited to learn. Thank you! xx Michael
I grab the moment and run with it, Michael. I never know when a moment will present itself.
You have the feelings and the experience, Jennie! Thats it. Thank you! xx Michael
🙂
What a wonderful learning experience, Jennie. I just love how you incorporate books into your teaching and grow it.
Thank you so much, Robbie.
I had such a good time in your class today, Jennie. Such a perfect lesson.
I’m so glad!! Wasn’t it fun to measure the snow?
It was. There hasn’t been nearly enough here on the mountain for several years. People don’t realize that the snow pack equals water the rest of the year.
That’s very interesting, Marlene. I’m surprised they don’t realize that. Everyone here knows an inch of rain = a foot of snow.
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Thank you, Robbie.
I am sure music to your ears Jennie to hear a child voice his memory of a book read in class so vividly.. Definitely emphasising the importance of reading aloud and power of children’s books. xxx
It definitely is, Sally! 😊
Beautiful, Jennie…keep going
Thank you, and I will!
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Thank you, Sally!
“The Mitten” is one of my favorites, Jennie. 🙂 A wonderful post. Enjoy the snowy reading!
Yes, that is a wonderful book! Thank you, Diana. 😍
It sounds like a wonderful book!
Yes, it is!
Terrific book. Such a great snow day story!!!
Thank you!
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Thank you.
You are the best teacher. You pace your lessons to the heart-beat of the children in your class.❤️💕